At the Erin Fall Fair, an educational display intended for children to interact with newly-hatched chicks and learn about farm life turned into a mystery when 32 chicks went missing. The disappearance was discovered during the fair’s opening ceremony on October 10, believed to have been stolen from their warming box between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Mayor Michael Dehn, present at the fair, along with the chicks’ owners, Gary and Eileen Brown, found the lid removed from the brooder and the chicks gone upon their return. It is suspected that the theft occurred before the fair began when a door was left open, allowing someone to access the chicks unnoticed.
The Erin Agriculture Society promptly sought help through social media to locate the missing chicks, emphasizing the importance of their care due to their young age. The chicks, a cherished attraction at the fair, are integral to the agricultural education display that both children and adults eagerly anticipate each year.
Despite the setback, Mayor Dehn intervened by offering his own daughters’ chicks for the display, salvaging the event and bringing a smile back to Gary, who had raised the missing chicks with great care. The community’s swift response and support underscored the collaborative spirit of the town during this unfortunate incident.